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Flick First at Tri-City Raceway Park; Ruth Jr., Whitling, Greeley, Davenport, and Rinehart also win

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(Franklin, PA July 18, 2021): A.J. Flick scored a much-needed win in the Shawgo Real Estate LLC 410 Sprints at Tri-City Raceway Park. With his usual haunts getting hit with rain, Flick was looking for a place to do some preparation for the big race coming up Tuesday at another area speedway. Everything worked to his liking and he left with $2,500 for his efforts.

Also scoring wins this night were Gale Ruth, Jr. (Gary Glass Automotive and Washington House RUSH Sprints), Bobby Whitling (Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Pro Stocks), Chad Greeley (4 Your Car Connection Mini Stocks), Garrett Davenport (Junior Sprints Open), and Grady Rinehart (Junior Sprints Stock).

In the Shawgo Real Estate LLC 410 Sprint Car part of the program, a pair of third-generation drivers paced the field. Leyton Wagner had the pole and A.J. Flick was on his flank. Carl Bowser and Bob Felmlee were in the second row, with Matt Farnham and Clay Riney beside him. Behind them were Brandon Matus and Adam Kekich, who was subbing for Logan McCandless. Ken Rossey, Jr. and Brent Matus made up the sixth row.

Flick got the best of Wagner on the initial start, and that proved to be an advantage that would not be overcome. “It is weird becasue we’ve never been good here at Tri-City, but here in 2021, it has been our best track.” Flick now has a pair of wins despite only a part-time schedule at the speedway.

Wagner raced along in second, but surrendered the spot to Farnham as the field completed the second circuit of the big half mile.
As Flick and Farnham drew away for the field, Wagner and Felmlee were fighting for third. The veteran, Felmlee, went beneath the younger pilot and took over the third spot with ten to go.

The most hotly contested position for most of the race was sixth, as Sodeman and Brandon Matus were fighting for points. Sodeman entered the night just one point ahead of the Wheelman, but Matus passed him, and a couple of other racers, to put himself unofficially in the lead seeking his first championship at any track.

In the final laps, Farnham started to close in on Flick, who was held up a bit by lapped traffic. However, Flick had a big enough cushion that Farnham could not get close enough to make a bid for the win.

After Flick and Farnham were Felmlee, Brandon Matus, and Wagner. Sixth went to Riney. Sodeman was seventh, then came Kekich, Weaver, and Gallagher.

The pair of heat races for the Shawgo Real Estate LLC 410 Sprints, presented by the Donovan & Bauer Auto Group, went to Wagner and Flick. There was no B Main.

In the RUSH Sprint Car division, running under the twin banners of Gary Glass Automotive and Washington House, Arnie Kent and Kevin Ruhlman were on the front row, with Gale Ruth, Jr. and Rod George right behind. Brad Church and Chad Ruhlan occupied the third row, and Balze Myers and Tyler Newhart were in the fourth. Row five belonged to Brian Hartzell and A.J. McQuarrie, and Zach Morrow was paired with Joe Lockhart in row six.

Kent dashed out to the early lead, with Kevin Ruhlman and Gale Ruth, Jr. trailing. Ruth moved into the lead on the fourth lap and was never headed.

As the race went on, there was a tremendous battle for the second spot involving Kent, Kevin and Chad Ruhlman, and George. Kevin Ruhlman slid out of the groove going down the long back chute and lost a pair of positions. However, his bigger mistake came after the checkers, when he failed to take his car across the scales. He was disqualified for the infraction.

Ruth scored the win, his second in three tries at Tri-City Raceway Park. Kent, Chad Ruhlman, George, and Blaze Myers were the top five finishers.

Sixth went to John Mollick, followed by Brad Church, Brian Hartzell, A.J. McQuarrie, and Nolan Graves.

The Donovan & Bauer Auto Group heat races for the Gary Glass Automotive and Washington House RUSH Sprints went to Gale Ruth, Jr. and Rod George. There was no B Main.

Three Rivers Karting

The Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Pro Stocks ran a tune-up for the big-paying Penn Ohio Pro Stock Championship battle coming up on July 15. Bobby Whitling, a two-time winner this season, started on the pole with Tim Bish as his dancing partner. Jason Johns and Darr Diegelman were in the second row, with Shane Applebee and Rod Laskey in the third. Joe Stajnrajh and Tyler Wyant were in the fourth row, with Patrick Fielding beside Andy Buckley. Row six belonged to last week’s winner, Curtis J. Bish and his brother Curt Bish, Jr.

Tim Bish took the early lead, but Whitling was racing in his shadow. After a close battle between them, Whitling took charge. Curtis J. Bish worked into third and he was challenging for second. Meanwhile, Jason Johns, Rod Laskey, Tyler Wyant, Josh Seippel and others were fifghting for spots in the top ten.

Whitling had the inside line working to perfection and he crossed the finish line first. A trio of Bishes–Tim, Curtis J., and Curt–came next. Johns was fifth. Sixth went to Seippel, followed by Laskey, Wyant, Buckley, and Doug Iorio, II.

Three Donovan & Bauer Auto Group heat races were contested for the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Pro Stocks. Winners were Joe Stajnrajh, Darr Diegelman, and Patrick Fielding. There was no B Main, as all 27 racers were allowed to start the feature event.

In the 4 Your Car Connection Mini Stocks, Chad Greeley and Bodey McClintock led the field to the starting line in turn four. Tim Callahan and Patrick Lane followed, with D.J. Macrae and Evan Sobieski in row three. Point leader Dalton Speer lined up next to his rival, Justin Bailey, in the fourth row. Levi Maskal and Mike Barr were in row five and Jamie Tasker and Hemi Kineston were in row six.
It was only a matter of time before Greeley would win a feature in his highly competitive four cylinder machine. He moved into the lead at the drop of the green and withstood several restarts, including one with just a pair of laps to go.

Taking the second position was Bailey, who took over the unofficial points lead with his top finish. Bodey McClintock, who ran second a good bit of the race, took third, with D.J. Macrae and Levi Maskal in fifth.

The sixth place finisher was Evan Sobieski. Patrick Lane, Hemi Kineston, Michael Barr, and Joanne Wilson completed the top ten.
Dalton Speer, who entered the night with the point lead, suffered a flat while racing in the top five.

The pair of Donovan & Bauer heat races for the 4 Your Car Connection Mini Stocks went to Justin Bailey and Dalton Speer. Ther was no B Main.

Garret Davenport swept the heat and feature for the Junior Sprints. Taking second, also in an Open car, was Carter Himes. The Stock division winner was Grady Rinehart, followed by Adam Presnar, Camron Miller, David Coley, Colton Gulher, Jazlyn Boyles, Deryk Jones, Maddie Rafferty, and Keaton Himes.

Next week, Tri-City Raceway Park will present the Penn Ohio Pro Stock Championship Series. All of the regional stars and cars will be on hand to challenge the stout competitors in the Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Pro Stock Class. This special event will pay at least $3,500 to the winner and $150 to start the feature, but there will be no increase in the general admission ticket prices. Also on the card will be the Shawgo Real Estate LLC 410 Sprint Cars, the Krill Recycling LLC 358 Modifieds, and the 4 Your Car Connection Mini Stocks. The following two weeks, August 1 and 8, will be Sunday Thunder events. Point racing will conclude at Tri-City Raceway Park on August 15.

Further information about Tri-City Raceway Park can be obtained by calling the track office at 724-967-4601, or by e-mailing the office at tricityracewaypark2020@gmail.com. Or, you can check the web at Tri-CityRacewayPark.com, or the Facebook page at Tri City Raceway Park. Tri-City Raceway Park is located just a few miles north of Franklin, PA, at 3430 State Route 417 in Oakland Township.

Shawgo Real Estate LLC 410 Sprint Cars: A.J. Flick, Matt Farnham, Bob Felmlee, Brandon Matus, Leyton Wagner. Clay Riney, Jack Sodeman, Jr., Adam Kekich, Jeremy Weaver, Darin Gallagher, Ken Rossey, Jr., Brent Matus, Davey Jones, Bryan Salisbury, Bob McMillin, Gale Ruth, Sr., Jim Morris, Carl Bowser (DNS), Randy Wyant (DNS).

Gary Glass Automotive/Washington House RUSH Sprint Cars: Gale Ruth, Jr., Arnie Kent, Chad Ruhlman, Rod George, Blaze Myers, John Mollick, Brad Church, Brian Hartzell, A.J. McQuarrie, Nolan Graves, Tyler Newhart, Zach Morrow, Brian Cressley, Joe Lockhart, Ricky Tucker, Jr., Kevin Kaserman, Gale Ruth, Sr., Kevin Ruhlman (DNS).

Hovis Auto & Truck Supply Pro Stocks: Bobby Whitling, Tim Bish, Curtis J. Bish, Curt Bish, Jason Johns, Josh Seippel, Rod Laskey, Tyler Wyant, Andy Buckley, Doug Iorio, II, Joe Steinrajh, Matt Bernard, David Baker, Larry Kugel, Gary Fisher, Charlie McMillen, Mike Bordt, Mike Miller, Patrick Fielding, Russ Coyne, Darr Diegelman, Shane Applebee, Aaron Smith, James Barber, Josh Blum, Jason Covey (DNS), William Hurrelbrink (DNS).

4 Your Car Connection Mini Stocks: Chad Greeley, Justin Bailey, Bodey McClintock, D.J. Macrae, Levi Maskal, Evan Sobieski, Patrick Lane, Hemi Kineston, Michael Barr, Joanne Wilson, Jamie Tasker Todd Hanlon, Dalton Speer, Tim Callahan, Devin Erwin, Howard Garlick.

Junior Sprints: Garret Davenport (Open), Carter Himes (Open), Grady Rinehart (Stock), Adam Presnar (Stock), Camron Miller (Stock), David Coley (Stock), Colton Gulher (Stock), Jazlyn Boyles (Stock), Deryk Jones (Stock), Maddie Rafferty (Stock), Keaton Himes (Stock).

Dirt Racing

Macri Makes Comeback at Lincoln

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Photo by Paul Arch

ABBOTTSTOWN, PA (March 3, 2024): Anthony Macri lost the lead in traffic before a red flag stopped the action, but he regained the top spot soon after the feature event restarted at Lincoln Speedway. The victory was his ninth career score in the Pigeon Hills and, importantly, it marked the first since being reunited with his family-owned race team.

“Anytime you can get a win, that’s great, (but) this was special because we haven’t won since last July,” Macri said. The driver from nearby Dillsburg explained that he was concerned that his mistakes could have cost him the victory. “I almost gave it away, but I got it back on the restart. I was too conservative in lapped traffic.” with a clean track ahead of him and the leader, Kyle Moody, Macri drove harder following the mid-race restart. “I had a good run on him,” he said of his charge to the front in turn three. He added that he ran harder in lapped traffic after that.

Moody, who fought off others in the second half of the race to maintain second, likewise commented that he was more aggressive after the restart. “I tried to be aggressive and slid myself in one.” While that strategy worked at the east end of the track, it did not hold up, for Macri was able to slide by him in turn three. “I couldn’t get back by him.”

Danny Dietrich, who booked another podium finish, noted that he “hated to see the red, we had a good car in traffic.” After the restart, he was caught up in an intense battle with Matt Campbell and Gerard McIntyre for third. By the time that Dietrich salted the position away, he did not have enough time to mount an attack on Moody for second.

The luck of the draw put Macri on the pole with Moody on his flank. Campbell and McIntyre occupied row two, with Steve Owings and Kody Hartlaub in row three. Danny Dietrich was inside row four, with Justin Whittal as his partner. Austin Bishop made his season debut in row five, accompanied by Brandon Rahmer. Chad Trout and Emerson Axsom were in row six. Freddie Rahmer, Jr. missed the re-draw and he held position thirteen for the initial start. Opening day winner, Troy Wagaman, Jr., was less fortunate. He was the last car to transfer from the B Main and he was the caboose for this train.

Macri blasted to the lead on the opening lap. Moody held second briefly, but McIntyre took it away by the time that lap one was completed. Campbell, Owings, Hartlaub, Danny Dietrich, Whittal, Bishop, and Trout made up the top ten in the early going.

Just three laps into the fray, Cameron Smith and Tyler Ross tangled in between turns three and four. Smith was done, but Ross was able to push off again.

Macri resumed the lead, while McIntyre kept Moody at bay. Campbell continued in fourth, but Danny Dietrich broke into the top five.

Three Rivers Karting

As the race approached the midpoint, Macri was into traffic, and Moody was able to close in. Moody was pressing for the lead, which he was able to wrestle away from Macri soon after the crossed flags were shown to the field. Macri came storming back but he could not make the pass in turn three.

Hartlaub’s strong run came to an end soon thereafter, as he took a tumble between turns three and four. He was not hurt in the process, but the crash did change the complexion of the race.

On the restart, with sixteen laps on the board, Moody held the lead, but Macri had a full head of steam coming to turn three, and he made the slide job stick. McIntyre was challenging Moody as Macri began to separate himself from that contest for second.

The last fourteen laps were run under the green. Moody settled into second and the action was for third. McIntyre, Campbell, and Danny Dietrich were the contestants. Dietrich was superior and claimed that spot as his own. “That was a fun race with Matt and Gerard,” Dietrich remarked. “We were throwing haymakers and there was no contact.”

Following Macri, Moody, and Danny Dietrich were Devon Borden and McIntyre. Campbell, Chase Dietz, Freddie Rahmer, Jr., Aaron Bollinger, and Brandon Rahmer completed the top ten.

Thirty-one cars signed in for the event. Taking the four heat wins were Owings, Macri, Brandon Rahmer, and Bishop. Billy Dietrich topped the B Main.

The support for this program was provided by 500 cc and 300 cc Micro Midgets. Ryan Roost, Sam Miller, Jeremy Sperlien, Justin Care, and Jonathan Schill were the top five in the 500s. Chris Ott, Dustin Harman, Alyssa Hackart, Barry Thomas, and Timothy Colliflower were the top five in the 300s.

Next Saturday, Lincoln Speedway will present another 410 Sprint program with the Central PA Legends backing up the headliners. This will be the final 3 p.m. start. March 16 will see the start time pushed back to 6 p.m. for the first Sprint Car doubleheader. The 410s will be joined by the 358s. Legends will be back on March 23 and the 358s will return on Easter Eve.

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Dirt Racing

Wagaman Works Magic in Lincoln Icebreaker

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Lincoln Speedway

ABBOTTSTOWN, PA (February 25, 2024): Troy Wagaman, Jr. scored the biggest win of his career on opening day at the fabulous Lincoln Speedway. His second career win in the Pigeon Hills was worth $6,000, his biggest payday to date.

Wagaman, who took the seat in Michael Heffner’s potent machine midway through the 2023 season, commented, “we had some big ones get away from us last year, we hope we can hang onto some more of them this season.” Well, if the Icebreaker 30 is an indication of what may come, he just may do that.

Wagaman lamented that it was hard for him to develop any kind of rhythm, particularly in the first half of the race, which was disrupted by several cautions and two red flags. “I just had to keep pace. I was moving around,” trying to dirty up the air for the big dogs that were chasing him. Then, his strategy changed. “I was trying to make it as wide as I could, and not leave it open for them to get a nose under me and push me out of the way.”

Danny Dietrich, who became his challenger in the second half of the contest, commended Wagaman for his performance. “I wish we could have gotten to Troy a little sooner. He did a great job clearing traffic atthe right time.” Dietrich explained that his car wasn’t very good at the beginning of the race, and he was hovering in fourth, “it wasn’t very grippy.” He added, “thank God for that red, we made some wholesale changes.” His car was substantially better after those adjustments during the fuel stop, and he did close to the rear bumper of Wagaman, but Wagaman was able to negotiate the lapped traffic quite well.

Freddie Rahmer, Jr., charged from thirteenth to second in the first half of the race, but he could not get close to Wagaman. But, his downfall came after the fuel stop. “It wasn’t meant to be, we were a little off after the red.” That enabled Dietrich to move into the role of the first chaser.

Dominic Melair and Wagaman paced the field for the start of the northeast’s first 410 Sprint event. Cameron Smith had his new ride, the Lefervre 75, in the third spot, next to Double D. Lucas Wolfe was flanked by Indiana racer Emerson Axsom in row three. Then came Slick Rick Lafferty and Jordan Givler. Chase Dietz and T.J. Stutts made up row five. Aaron Bollinger and Chad Trout followed in row six.

It took two tries to get the feature race started. The first was lost when several cars tangled in turn four. Although a few cars suffered minor damage, Axsom was eliminated for the remainder of the contest. On the second attempt, Wagaman assumed control, with Smith, Melair, Dietrich, Dietz, Wolfe, Freddie Rahmer, Jr., Stutts, Trout, and Matt Campbell following. A few laps into the race, Melair fell back due to motor problems. Lafferty moved forward, cracking the top five despite leaving a trail of moisture leading into turn one.

Three Rivers Karting

On lap six, a synchronized spin in turn two by Bollinger and Brandon Rahmer slowed the action, followed by another caution on lap eight for Lafferty’s worsening wet streak, and yet another on lap thirteen for a flat on Justin Whittal’s car. That incident was converted into an open red for fuel.

The race resumed two laps shy of the halfway mark, with Wagaman ahead of Rahmer, Jr., Smith, Dietrich, Lafferty, Norris, Trout, Bollinger, Dietz, and Wolfe. Soon thereafter, Dietrich was up to second. Rahmer Jr. remained in third, followed by Smith and Trout.

The final seventeen laps were run without interruption. About midway through that sprint to the finish, Dietrich closed in on Wagaman, but Wagaman maintained his composure under heavy pressure that lasted for a few laps.

Wagaman was able to keep Dietrich at bay by running consistent laps in the middle lane and the low groove. Dietrich tried the top, but there was no cushion to lean on. Rahmer Jr. continued in third, close enough to pounce if Dietrich were to slide out a bit too far. Bollinger and Dietz completed the top five.

Smith, Trout, Lafferty, Kyle Moody, and Wolfe were the next five to cross. The 2023 track champion in the 358 Sprint division, Kody Hartlaub, was thirteenth, earning the hard charger bonus for being plus twelve.

Three heats were run for the twenty-five cars. Wins went to Lafferty, Givler, and Wagaman. There was no B Main, as all cars were allowed to start the feature event.

Next Saturday, Lincoln Speedway will present another 410 Sprint race commencing at 3 p.m. The PA Micro Midgets will provide support. The final afternoon show will be held at 3 p.m. on March 9 for the 410 Sprints and Central PA Legends Cars. Night action will kick in on March 16, when the first 410 and 358 Sprint doubleheader will take place at 6 p.m.

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Dirt Racing

Tri-City Raceway Park to Be Sold, New Owners to Continue Sunday Operation

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FRANKLIN, PA (February 25, 2024): After releasing the 2024 tentative schedule, Merle Black, the current owner of Tri-City Raceway Park, has reached an agreement in principle to sell the Venango County, PA oval to Josh and Kyrsten Shiffer. Final negotiations are in progress, and the written agreement has yet to be signed, but both sides are moving forward earnestly to complete the transaction before the first green flag waives in mid-April.

The Shiffers are entrepreneurs who live in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. Their businesses include Flea Flickers LLC, a liquidation company, and Shiffer Powersports, engaged in ATV sales. They have a strong interest in ATV Motocross racing and several members of the family compete, including their son, Jayden, an aspiring professional rider.

Three Rivers Karting

The Shiffers are excited about the potential for Tri-City Raceway Park. They hope to bring back premiere sanctioned events and to introduce some new programs in the years ahead.

They plan to follow the tentative schedule recently released by Black. That calls for an April 13 Enduro, followed by two weekly practice sessions. The FAST Sprints will compete in the opener on Sunday, May 5. Other Sprint Car specials are on the docket, including the acclaimed Western PA Speedweek finale. The BRP Modified Tour will also make two appearances. The backbone of the schedule will consist of four divisions: 410 Sprint Cars, 358 Modifieds, Pro Stocks, and Mini Stocks. The season will come to a close over the Labor Day weekend. Additional details on the schedule will be released in the coming weeks.

The Shiffers recently met several key members of the current staff, and they look to fill some vacancies that currently exist. Announcements regarding employment opportunities may be forthcoming.

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